Questions About What it’s Like to Work with Us

At Over the Horizon Counseling and Consulting, we specialize in working with women and couples, but we also welcome male clients. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of gender.

Our practice is inclusive and values diversity. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment for all individuals seeking therapy. We are here to provide you with the compassionate and effective therapy services you need to navigate life's challenges and improve your overall well-being regardless of your gender.

The standard fee for the initial intake appointment for therapy services with a fully licensed clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) is $225.00 and each subsequent session is $200.00.

Disclaimer

All clients are required to keep a valid credit card or debit card on file.

As a standard practice, we charge any fees due for your appointment the day of your appointment after our 48-hour cancellation period has ended which further confirms your appointment with us.

If you miss a session without canceling, or cancel with less than 48-hour notice, this is considered a “no show”. Our policy is to collect the full amount of your session fee for “no shows”.

Over the Horizon Counseling and Consulting is a private pay, out-of-network practice, which means we do not accept insurance.

Some insurance companies / insurance plans may offer out-of-network benefits and we will provide you with a superbill (receipt) which you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement upon request.

Please note not all insurance companies will provide reimbursement and we do not respond to insurance company inquiries or requests.

Why we don’t accept insurance:

You can’t undo many of the negative consequences of using insurance benefits.

Medical Necessity

Insurance companies require that mental health treatment be “medically necessary”.  To be medically necessary, treatment must address a mental disorder.

A Mental Health Diagnosis

Medical necessity is established by psychiatric symptoms being matched to a diagnosis. Insurance companies require that the therapist assign a mental health diagnosis for the client. To be able to bill insurance, paperwork for counseling requires a release, which allows the insurance company to have access to any and all records including session notes.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Once your insurance company receives information about you from your therapist, there is no way to protect your privacy and confidentiality. The diagnosis and other pertinent information is given by your insurance company to a national Medical Information Database that centralizes information for approximately 700 or more insurance companies. The Medical Information Database was created to alleviate fraud on insurance applications.

The Effects of a Diagnosis

This diagnosis can impact jobs with the government or military, jobs with security clearances, aviation, or any other job requiring health-related checks before hiring an employee.

After receiving a diagnosis, an individual will have to answer "yes" to any question pertaining to seeking treatment for a psychiatric problem. If you apply for individual health, life, or disability insurance, the mental health diagnosis can increase your rate for coverage and determine if you are rejected from coverage.

Many individuals who have lost their jobs and have to seek private coverage are not able to find an insurance company who will cover them due to their mental health diagnosis.

A diagnosis given to a child can impact their future in many ways including being labeled throughout their schooling years and impacting future employment with military, government jobs, or any employment requiring a health-care related check.

Benefits for Not Accepting Insurance

Our clients see value in not being diagnosed, having more privacy, and not letting insurance have any control over their ability to receive care, the number or length of sessions, etc.

During the first session we will spend some time getting to know one another, answering any questions you have and discussing what led you to therapy. This includes your history, goals, and any symptoms you are experiencing. We will work together to explore and develop goals as well as review informed consent—including your rights to confidentiality. We are happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

The rest of the session will be spent working together to address your problems and concerns. Sessions focus on talking about feelings, exploring the events in your life (present and past) to help identify your inner needs and patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Therapy is not a magic pill or a quick fix; it is a healing process. Though the process can be difficult at times, the end result can be life altering.

We do not offer in-person sessions at this time.

A typical therapy session is scheduled for 45-50 minutes. If you arrive late to your scheduled appointment, you will miss some of your session time. You and your therapist will discuss if your needs and concerns require more time than what is typically scheduled.

Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them. Therapy is a process. The length of time therapy takes to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place. Although results can't be guaranteed, on average, most people report positive changes within 6-12 sessions of consistent therapy. Some people also choose to continue mental health and wellness care for years to address day-to-day challenges or future-related planning and concerns.

You may cancel or reschedule a session anytime via text message, email, or voicemail, as long as you provide 48 (or more) hour notice.

If you cancel a session with less than 48 hours’ notice or don’t show up for your appointment, you will be charged the full session fee.

Please reach out to us at least 48 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule your session time if you have a conflict arise.

A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way – teach you new skills, provide different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.

We currently offer therapy appointments Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the evenings. We are located in the Central time zone (US) so appointments will be scheduled accordingly.

You are free to reach out at any time via text message, email, or a phone call. Therapy does not occur via text message or email. We will respond to all contacts within 48-72 business hours.

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please call 911 or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You may also go to your closest emergency room for same day care. SAMHSA’s National Helpline can be reached by phone at 1-800-662-4357 or by text at 741741.